FUCHS EMIL: (1866-1929) Austrian-born American sculptor, medallist and painter. A.L.S., E Fuchs, three pages, 8vo, n.p. (East Cowes, Isle of Wight), 16th January 1901, to Mr. Heaton, on the black bordered mourning stationery of Osborne House. Fuchs asks if his correspondent can send ´another perfect 2 3/4 bronze Peace medal for the lady I wrote you the other day about´ and also remarks ´I much regretted that yesterday I could not show you all I wanted. I expected you on Monday, and when I got your letter I already had the appointment made with the Austrian Hungarian Ambassador, which I could not put off´, further asking that his apologies be conveyed to Mrs. Heaton ´and say I shall be pleased to show her my other studio next time she comes to London´. A few small traces of former mounting to the four corners of the verso, otherwise VG

Queen Victoria died at Osborne House on 22nd January 1901, less than a week after Fuchs wrote the present letter. The artist created the oil painting Queen Victoria Lying in State in 1901, depicting the monarch on her deathbed at Osborne House. Fuchs was specifically invited to her bedchamber shortly after her death to capture her likeness. The original work is currently held in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.